Coup Leader Michel Djotodia is Defense Minister in CAR Caretaker Government

Michel Djotodia ousted former President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic on March 24 and has just announced a “caretaker” regime. “I hope to be the last rebel chief president of Central Africa,” proclaimed Djotodia.

Djotodia, the self-proclaimed president, will act as defense minister while the representative of the opposition, Nicolas Tiangaye is serving as prime minister. Bozize has since left the country for Cameroon and now has sought asylum in Belize.

Self-proclaimed leader of the nation

At the wake of a failed power-sharing deal Djotodia led rebels on March 24 toppling the capital with looting and violence and eliciting international outrage. Three thousand rebels stormed the capital and the fight resulted in 78 casualties which littered the streets of Bangui after the coup d’etat.

As a consequence of his actions, Djotodia and the rebel leaders were suspended by the African Union (AU). Despite condemnation from the United Nations and the international community Djotodia announced the interim government amidst cheers of many supporters at a Bangui rally on Saturday. He went on a parade around the country’s capital firing into the air.

Interim CAR government

On Sunday Premier Tiangaye announced the members of the cabinet on national radio. Djotodia has control of a number of ministries, which will be run by members of the Seleka coalition. Eight of the 34 cabinet posts will be held by representatives of the former opposition. At least one member of the cabinet was a Bozize supporter.

In 2016 the Central African Republic will hold an election. Djotodia gave his word that he would officially step down in three years’ time in honor of the agreement that was signed in January of this year at Libreville, Gabon. Washington responded to this statement by saying that the only recognized premier or head of government as stated in the agreement is Nicolas Tiangaye.

Failed talks

African leaders facilitated talks to end the rebellion in 2012. In January 2013 an agreement for a power-sharing government was brokered, but it eventually collapsed when the Seleka rebels protested that their demands were unmet.

The Central African Republic gained independence from France in 1960 and has since suffered through one rebellion after another. Though rich in natural resources, CAR remains a poor country due to decades of political conflict.